Jaguars thrive on Kayapo Land
Jaguars are one of the most emblematic apex predators of South America and despite their historic range stretching from Mexico to Argentina they face mounting threats. Their survival is jeopardized by habitat fragmentation, over-hunting of their prey, and growing conflict with farmers. As we approach International Jaguar Day, it’s more important than ever to highlight places where jaguars are still thriving. One of those strongholds lies in the heart of the Amazon, under the guardianship of the Kayapo people.
Nine million hectares of continuous, unfragmented forest: that’s what it takes for apex predators to thrive.
Jaguars Need Space
Apex predators like jaguars need vast, uninterrupted territories to roam, hunt, and reproduce. This is where the Kayapo’s Indigenous land becomes critically important. Their territory covers around 9 million hectares of pristine, primary rainforest — a continuous, non-fragmented block that provides the scale jaguars require to maintain healthy populations.
Located in southeast Amazonia, this Kayapo territory is under constant pressure from industrial agriculture, logging, and mining. Yet by protecting this massive block, the Kayapo not only conserve jaguar habitat, but also maintain ecological connectivity. Their land helps link together other critical Indigenous landscapes — including territories extending toward the Xingu Indigenous Park (Parque Indígena do Xingu) upstream along the Xingu River.
Jaguars Need Food
Space alone isn’t enough — jaguars also depend on abundant prey. The Kayapo people have lived in these forests for millennia, managing resources sustainably and with restraint. Their traditional patterns of hunting are low-impact; they take only what is needed and respect the balance of wildlife populations.
To enforce that balance, the Kayapo maintain a network of guard posts and community patrols. These act as a real deterrent to poachers, illegal fishers, and other outside threats. As a result, prey species remain abundant, meaning jaguars have plenty of food — a sign of a healthy, functioning ecosystem.
Abundant prey and healthy jaguars are proof of a thriving, well-protected ecosystem.
Follow Their Tracks
One of the most exciting ways to understand jaguar ecology is through camera trapping. By placing motion-triggered cameras in carefully selected locations, we can “catch” jaguars (and their prey) on film — without disturbing them.
For a hands-on experience, consider joining our Field Course in 2026. You’ll head into the field to place camera traps, interpret tracks, and learn how this powerful tool is used across the Amazon to monitor wildlife.
Even with these successes, the future is not guaranteed. External pressures such as deforestation, fires, illegal incursions continue to mount on Kayapo’s borders. Their achievement in protecting jaguars and prey populations is remarkable, but support needs to grow. That’s why International Jaguar Day is more than just symbolic: it’s a moment to highlight the work of Indigenous peoples like the Kayapo, and to mobilize concrete support.